219671 Pte. Alfred Henry Wilkinson British Army 12th Btn. Middlesex Regiment from:Horsforth, W Yorks. (d.26th Sep 1916) Alfred Wilkinson was my uncle, born in 1896 he was a Bank Clerk. He joined the Army on 31st March 1916 at High Beech Camp, Loughton Essex.
He met his death on 26th September 1916 in the storming of Thiepval at the Somme. A letter from a comrade in action to Alfred's father reads as follows:
I was with Alfred when he was hit. I'm afraid I cannot tell you much, but will give you what I saw of him. We were advancing in file with Alfred on my right hand. we got over about 300yds, when the boches being driven out of their trenches, we took cover behind a fallen tree log to fire. All rising up to rush the trench, Alfred was hit by a shrapnel in his right thigh and sank behind the tree again. As we had to rush the trench we couldn't stop to reach him. We last saw him reclining on his left side holding his hand over the wound which we did not think at all serious. Being where he was he was well protected from snipers and certainly he could never have been taken prisoner there, being left 100 yds behind. The only thing that must have happened was that, as the enemy shelled all the ground gained in hopes of stopping reinforcements, he was caught by one of their shells. In that case anything could have happened, for no one would be able to get him until the shelling had ceased; a shell would throw up enough earth to bury one from sight, which would account for his identification disc not being brought in. If he was able to proceed down to the dressing station,he would have to go over the enemy fire showing that anything may have happened to him. I am afraid that is all I know with regard to Alfred whom I have known for about six months and we all render you our deepest sympathy in your undoubtable loss. yours sincerely, J H Wilson.
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